Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Carter.
Hi Rachael, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My husband and I have a wedding photography and videography business. I took my first photography class in 2007 and have been carrying around a camera since then. I minored in photography in 2011, and majored in Art Education. I went on to teach art in public elementary schools for 6 years, and off and on taking pictures for people.
During my first year teaching, one of my coworkers saw me with my camera and asked if I wanted to photograph her wedding (in 2 weeks). I knew nothing about wedding photography. That same day, I went to a coffee shop to lesson plan and saw this guy who I knew from mutual friends, and I knew he did something with wedding videos. So we ended up chatting that night for 2 hours. Fast forward and we’ve been married 10 years this year!
I started assisting Jacob and photographing weddings alongside our videography business, learning as much as I could. I started getting more serious about wedding photography in 2018. I quit teaching to go full time in 2019.
During COVID, Jacob ended up finding a full time job that he loves. So now I run the business full time, and Jacob is my second shooter. I love what I do and the lifestyle it provides, but most importantly the connections that I’ve made through photography. Our business is very relationship oriented and that’s my favorite thing about it. I love being my own CEO and helping provide for my family and being an example to my daughter.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We have definitely had a roller coaster few years, but we have learned so much and so excited for what’s to come. I quit teaching in June 2019, so I had 6 months in business before Covid hit. We had 10 spring weddings cancel that year. That was a challenge, but looking back it was probably the biggest blessing. The weddings we did have that year have become some of our closest clients. We have been back to photograph their family weddings, and multiple milestones for almost all of my 2020 couples. I think going through something like that causes everyone to bond together. I also really built my family photography business that year, photographing over 100 families and almost all of them coming back year after year since then.
Honestly this past year has been a year full of growth and learning. I had a baby in August 2023 after 5 years of infertility. I feel like we hit a plateau in the past year and a half of pregnancy and having her, and I’ve had to really learn a lot about business and marketing this past year as we navigate our new normal! The first few years, about 95% of our referrals were word of mouth and friends. This past year I’ve realized how much I didn’t know about SEO, active and passive marketing, and tracking leads. I have invested a lot of time into implementing those things and have been amazed by the results. I really feel like this past year was a big one for growth. We’ve had a lot of setbacks but also a whole lot of big wins, and this has become our best year in business yet. Having my daughter has made me realize that I can’t do this without it being profitable and worth my time away from her. So this past year has challenged me in ways I never thought possible and I am so excited for where our business is headed.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a photographer and specialize in weddings and families. I thrive on a big chaotic wedding with lots of moving parts. I’m normally sort of a shy person but I love taking charge on wedding days. I also specialize in family portraits. I have a true to life film inspired style.
The main thing that sets us apart in Columbia is that we offer photo and video for wedding days. My husband has been doing wedding videography since 2011 and has won multiple awards for his videos. We took a few year hiatus from wedding videos and we’re excited to offer them again and serve more couples this way!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think just being super relational with my clients. Many of my clients tell me that they feel like they already knew me. I think helping them feel safe, cared for, and comfortable on their wedding days is key!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.carterscreative.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thecarterscreative
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carterscreative
